Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (Sep 1935 - Aug 1936)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 193 6 5 Record Allied Convention Votes Plan To Drive Producers Out of Exhibition $250,000 FUND SOUGHT FOR FIGHT OVER 600 EXHIBS ATTEND BODY'S MOST SUCCESSFUL CONFAB AT CLEVE. By Mo Wax The greatest convention in Allied history voted itself the biggest job ever attempted by a theatremen's organization last Thursday afternoon at Cleveland. On motion of the committee on Chain Expansion, headed by Al Steffes, firebrand of the Northwest, the more than 600 independent exhibitors assembled at the confab passed a resolution instituting a nation-wide legal-legislative campaign to force the producers of motion pictures out of the exhibition field. Earlier at that same session, Russell Hardy, Assistant Attorney General and prosecutor of the celebrated St. Louis case, told the convention that he believed such legislation would be held valid under the Constitution. Apprehensive that the members might have adopted the resolution in light mood, Steffes returned to the rostrum at the closing session the following day and solemnly declared that the committee desired sober reconsideration of the measure and pointed out that the drive would require a fund of at least $2 5 0,000 if its purpose is to be realized. No contributions were asked from the floor, but voluntary pledges totaling over $60,000 were shouted by the leaders of various units. No doubt was left in the mind of anyone that the move had the unanimous support of the independents. STARTS MILDLY . . . This was the sensational high point of a convention that started as though it might be the most subdued in the organization's seven-year career. President Nathan Yamins' (Continued on page 6) Allied Convention Business HIGHLIGHTS Split Production-Exhibition Resolution to inaugurate legal and legislative fight to force film producers from exhibition. Fund of $2 5 0,000 asked from Allied ranks to employ outstanding legal talent to assist Myers, Yamins and committee consisting of Steffes, Samuelson and Cole. $100,000 to be sought within next three to four weeks for preliminary ex (Con tinned on page 6) MYERS LOOKS FOR BOOKING BILL OK WITHIN 6 MONTHS DOUBTS PASSAGE NOW . . . Washington. — "Six months delay is the best the Haysites can hope for and the worst we can expect," said Abram F. Myers, general counsel of Allied, on Monday in reply to an inquiry concerning the true status of the Pettengill-Neely bills to ban compulsory block booking. Mr. Myers stated that he is confident the Senate Interstate Commerce Committee will report the Neely bill favorably with full printed report upon reconvening early next week. "Frankly, however, I doubt whether time remains for action on the bills by both houses at this session," he said. HITS TRADE REPORTS . . . The Allied leader termed current trade paper reports that the bills are dead as "ridiculous in the face of the unswerving support being rendered them by public groups with millions of members." U-RKO Meet Men Universal and RKO hold their annual sales conventions in New York starting this coming Monday (June 15), the former at the Astor Hotel, RKO at the Waldorf. U is expected to announce a schedule of 44 features, while RKO will list a minimum of 48 and possible maximum of 5 2 for the 1936-37 season. SNAPPED BY THE FILM BULLETIN CAMERA AT ALLIED'S CONVENTION Left to right: Herman Blum of Baltimore; Aaron Saperstein of Chicago; Mrs. Sidney E. Samuelson of New Jersey; R n retch <>t Wisconsin; Col. Harry A. Cole of Texas; Mr. and Mrs. Henderson M. Richey of Detroit; Martin G. Smith of Ohio.